What is a Midwife?
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Midwives are highly-trained health professionals who provide primary care to you and your baby during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postpartum period.
Most provinces and territories have regulated midwifery care, integrated into the health care system and covered by provincial health insurance. Midwives deliver babies in hospitals, in birthing centres in the community, and at home, depending on the woman's choice. Midwives work in partnership with OBs and Family Doctors.
MIDWIFERY MODEL OF CARE
Midwifery is a growing and dynamic profession in Canada, providing care along your pregnancy journey.
Registered midwives are health professionals who will be there to help you before, during and after birth.
PRENATAL CARE
Midwives provide complete care during pregnancy, including regular visits, diagnostic tests, routine bloodwork, and emotional support. You can call a midwife as soon as you know you are pregnant to request care; you do not need a referral from a doctor.
CARE DURING BIRTH
Midwives are there for you during your birth, no matter when, where, or how long it takes. If necessary, midwives access emergency services and collaborate with other health professionals during birth.
POSTNATAL CARE
Midwives visit you and your newborn in your own home in the first week after birth. They continue to provide care to you and your newborn for at least six weeks after birth.
PRIMARY CARE
Midwives in Canada are autonomous, primary health care providers. They provide comprehensive care to individuals and their newborns during pregnancy, labour, and at least six weeks postpartum.
INformed CHoice
Midwives believe that every person has the right to be the primary decision maker about their own care. Midwives encourage you to fully participate in the planning of your own care, and care for your newborn. They allow enough time during your visits for meaningful discussion and for your questions to be answered.
PARTNERSHIP
Midwives work in partnership with you and your loved ones when you are pregnant. They provide support in a non-authoritarian way that respects your needs and experiences.
ON CALL 24/7
Because midwives work in pairs or small teams, there will almost always be a midwife that you have met who is on call when you have a question, concern, or when labour starts. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
EVIDENCE-BASED CARE
Midwifery practice is informed by research, evidence-based guidelines, clinical experience and the unique values and needs of those in their care.
CHOICE OF BIRTH PLACE
Midwives provide care to people in their birth setting of choice. You can plan to give birth at home, in a hospital, at a birth centre, or in a health clinic, depending on what facilities are available in your area.
Other CARE Providers
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Family MDs all over the country can be an excellent choice for people seeking a skilled practitioner in pregnancy, birth, postpartum and newborn care. Family doctors provide care throughout pregnancy and attend births. They deliver babies in hospitals and work in partnership with midwives and obstetricians. Family MDs can also provide continuity of care through pregnancy, birth and in the years to follow for both baby and mother.
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Obstetricians (OBs) are specialized in female reproductive health, support normal vaginal delivery but also manage more complicated pregnancies (e.g. high blood pressure, heart disease, multiple pregnancy). OBs can perform cesarean sections and other surgeries required in an emergency. OBs work in partnership with midwives and Family Doctors to ensure care when a pregnancy or birth requires a transfer to a specialist.
Honouring
your body,
your birth,
your choices.
Source material in reference to the Canadian Association of Midwives
